Alexei Popyrin wins a five-set battle to advance to the third round at Wimbledon for the first time in his career.

London, Great Britain, 5 July 2024 | Leigh Rogers

For the second time this season, Alexei Popyrin is set to battle Novak Djokovic on the Grand Slam stage.

The 24-year-old Popyrin gallantly extended the then-world No.1 to four sets in the second round at the Australian Open earlier this year, now has the chance to avenge that loss in Wimbledon’s third round.

Popyrin is enjoying a career-best run at the All England Club, which he extended today with a hard-fought 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry at Court 11.

Popyrin tallied 65 winners, including 17 aces, across the three-hour and 58-minute encounter.

“I was twice a set down, but at no point was I short of confidence,” Popyrin said.

“I was the one dictating. I was the one in control of the points, so I was the one in control of how the match went.

“At no point was I stressed that I’d lose the match.”

It is the fourth five-set win of Popyrin’s career and the first he has recorded outside of the Australian Open.

At world No.31, Etcheverry also becomes the highest-ranked opponent that Popyrin has beaten on grass throughout his career.

“It’s no secret that grass hasn’t been my favourite surface,” world No.47 Popyrin admitted earlier this week. “I think this year, it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt on the grass in my whole career. Movement wise, playing wise, I feel like I know what I’m doing out there.”

That bodes well for his chances against Djokovic, who is one of the most accomplished grass-court players in history. The world No.2 is a seven-time Wimbledon champion and has won 47 of his past 50 matches on the surface.

“It’s going to be fun if it’s on Centre Court,” Popyrin said of his upcoming match. “Hopefully it is, because I really want to experience that.”

Earlier today, Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur scored a commanding win against Spaniard Jaume Munar to also progress to the third round.

> READ: Dominant De Minaur advances to third round at Wimbledon 2024

Aussies in action – Wimbledon

RESULTS
Men’s singles, second round
[9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Jaume Munar (ESP) 6-2 6-2 7-5
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) d [30] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3
Francisco Comesana (ARG) d Adam Walton (AUS) 7-5 1-6 6-7(12) 6-1 7-6(8)
[Q] Lucas Pouille (FRA) d Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 2-6 7-5 5-2 ret.

Women’s singles, second round
[18] Marta Kostyuk (UKR) d Daria Saville (AUS) 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4

COMING UP
Men’s singles, third round
[9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [Q] Lucas Pouille (FRA)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [2] Novak Djokovic (SRB)

> VIEW: Wimbledon 2024 men’s singles draw

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